JVC HRS3901U 4-Head S-VHS VCR, Black

by JVC

Product Details

Product Manual [676kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 9 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000065UUX
• Item model number: HRS3901U
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #246,972 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

JVC's HR-S3901U performs high-resolution recording with Super VHS format and Pro-Cision 19-micron heads, which deliver the clearest possible picture when recording or viewing in EP (extended-play) mode. Front audio-video inputs grant easy access for camcorders or gaming consoles.

ET mode lets you record Super VHS signals (with more than 400 lines of resolution) on more affordable VHS tapes. The VCR's four-head design provides crystal-clear pause and slow-motion effects, while its dual-azimuth construction uses two pairs of recording heads rather than one, each optimized for a specific mode (one for SP recording, the other for EP).

VCR Plus offers simple timer recording, and JVC includes a coupon for a free cable box controller if needed. Other features include digital tracking, a child lock, and one-year, eight-event express programming. JVC's A/V Compu Link provides one-touch operation with matching JVC components.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best buy for the money, October 29, 2002

By 

Locutus (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JVC HRS3901U 4-Head S-VHS VCR, Black (Electronics)

At first I thought I wanted a Sony, since that's what professionals seem to prefer, but I could never get them to play my old tapes well (on reading customer reviews, I saw I wasn't the only one with that problem). After reading all the reviews, I went with this machine. It plays all my old tapes better than my old machine. It does a great job with new recordings on my old tapes, and a phenomenal job with Fuji H471S S-VHS tape, which I'm told is the best out there right now ...While I had to use the manual, I found the programming to be more intuitive than on Sony or Panasonic machines, and have come to like the event programming options quite a bit. Sure, it has a lot of plastic, but they all do. The next step up would be the 5000 series with flying erase heads (which is useful for precise editing, and may reduce the rainbow flicker in the first few seconds of recording). My only complaint is that I wish the on-unit display was more informative, adding a full-time clock (rather than clock or channel choice). I'm told this unit and the 3900, 3910, and 3911 are all the same, with the differences being color; the 10 and 11 being the newest model, with more internal plastic parts. I don't think you can beat this one with features for the price, and if you want to play old tapes, this one's a winner.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a fantastic sub-$150 S-VHS player, October 11, 2002

By 

Mayhem King (Irvine, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JVC HRS3901U 4-Head S-VHS VCR, Black (Electronics)

Update:
This is a fantastic sub-$150 S-VHS player, February 20, 2005

My VCR is still working. I am still very happy with it. I'm not sure why others are giving it only 1 star. Perhaps they should consider reading the manual? If they were still manufactured, I would buy a 2nd one to connect to my computer. In fact, I think I'll take a look at the JVC line to see what has replaced it.

For what I paid for this VHS, I can't imagine what complaints anyone would have. The picture quality is outstanding. Who cares about the construction of the case and buttons at this price? Obviously some people do...

Original review:
This is a fantastic sub-$150 S-VHS player, October 11, 2002

After reading the other reviews, I almost didn't buy this unit. Yes, the case is an all plastic construction. Yes, some of the buttons have a cheap feel. Make no mistake about it, this machine was built to be sold at the lowest possible price point. If you go to the JVC web site you will see that the HRS3901U is at the bottom of their line up. It does not have the same quality construction that a $400 S-VHS has. It it does have however, many of the same features as JVC's higher priced units. Plastic case and buttons aside, the picture is very good.

Construction aside, the HRS3901U is full-featured. There is a sufficient number of inputs. The picture quality is VERY good for a budget S-VHS. Likewise, the sound quality is good. Signal quality is likewise very good. Unlike my last budget VHS (Toshiba), I have not heard a squeak out of it yet. I doubt that there is a better machine at a similar price.

I was not looking to invest a lot of money into a fading technology. I do not need a machine that will last me the next 10 years. I just need a VCR that will work until the price of digital recorders come down. When the time comes, I will simply transfer my VHS to DVD (Fair Use).

The bottom line? I could have spent more money for a better constructed box. But why bother? The HRS3901U gets the job done and it does it well. This is a great machine FOR THE MONEY. The picture quality is very good, even with composite connections.

If you want top of the line, then pay for a top of the line unit. At its price point, the HRS3901U is a well balanced machine. Cheap outside, quality inside. Five stars for the good picture quality and features despite the budget price.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars There are not many better-and the price keeps dropping!, July 19, 2003

By 

S. Koski "chucklesnapier" (Lilburn, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: JVC HRS3901U 4-Head S-VHS VCR, Black (Electronics)

I don't know what the other reviewers are doing, but this baby deserves a WOW! This is a great picture and a very comparable picture quality to my DISH PVR-its 400+ lines of resolution double a standard VCR and come close to DVD/digital 480p. Try using this baby for a little while and read the brief manual which other reviewers unfortunately did not do. Use the SP-ET setting for optimal quality on a regular VHS and you will not find a better VCR reproduction-especially for its low price. These S-VHS models have been dropping in price in 2003 and can now be had for about the same price as a standard model ( I got mine for [money amount]). Too bad it does not have S-video port on the front, but I believe later models have this convenience. Otherwise, it is a breeze to run the S-video into my computer for DVD back-up of all video, giving me a with great picture.
JVC invented the technology and they remain on top.

I cannot be happier than I am with this lovely purchase and father's day gift from my family.